Registration Committee Meeting Minutes

Registration Committee Meeting Minutes September 23, 2016 @ 9:30 a.m. Opelika Campus- Administration Building Room 104

Members Present: Melissa Todd- Chairperson, Brandon Morgan- Co-Chairperson, Nancy Bramlett, Gary Branch, Robin Brown, Brad Davis, Carol Howell, Cheryl Jordan, Marty Kirby, Cydney Mathews, Dr. Linda North, Dr. Patsy Parker, Chris Reed, Alyson Skinner, Steve Spratlin, Jeremy Taunton, Kayla Whaley, Robbie Whaley

Members Absent: Shondae Brown, Vertrina Grubbs, Norma Jones, Pam Jones, Anya Looney, Alison Osborn, Catherine Stringfellow, Dr. Fred Williams, Michelle Wimbish

Welcome & Purpose:

The Committee Chairperson, Melissa Todd, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. She welcomed everyone to the meeting and shared the general purpose of the registration committee.

Old Business:

Melissa Todd reported that the ODP training was a success and that Pam Jones noticed a significant decrease in the number of ODPs for the semester. Each department will continue working together to decrease the number of ODPs.

Dual Enrollment (D.E.):

Dr. North stated that there is a new accountability piece to D.E. For SUSCC, D.E. (for all divisions) will remain as it has been. Eddie Pigg is planning a meeting in the Spring with the area counselors. There is a new agreement form—the new form does not require the student to obtain the superintendent’s signature.

Dr. Parker asked about how this new change effects homeschoolers—Dr. North stated that the covering/parent would need to sign the form.

New Business:

SOAR: Dean Gary Branch reported that SOAR went well and that having each office (admissions, financial aid, business, and advising) all set up in the BTC was a success.

The last SOAR date for the Opelika campus was on the first day for online registration. This caused issues with payment and the incentive for the students who come to SOAR. Dean Branch said that SOAR for the Opelika campus will be the last week of June. The Fine Arts camp will be the third week of June.

Marty Kirby suggested that we consider having a separate SOAR for Dual Enrollment students. The committee agreed that the D.E. students are sometimes included and confused during the traditional SOAR, there will be additional discussion concerning a SOAR session tailored to D.E. students.

Communication:

Melissa Todd opened the discussion concerning the college’s communication during SOAR. She proposed the following questions:

(1) Who decides when registration is extended

(2) What is the best method of communication for faculty/staff

Dean Branch stated that the decision comes out of the President’s Office. Brad Davis recommends e-mail as the official method of communication between faculty and staff.

Dean Branch will speak with executive council concerning who makes the decision about registration closing for the day (i.e., if the college closes at 4:30, who/what constitutes as the “last student”). He will also speak to executive council about staggered work hours—the committee believes that this will help with the confusion concerning staff having to work later hours, etc.

Dr. Parker recommended that during registration days, staff members communicate to students the time constraints and next steps, when the end of the work day is approaching.

Parking Decals:

Melissa Todd stated that the Chief Holmes and the police staff were invited, but unable to attend today’s meeting, but will make a report at the next meeting.

Prelim update- Starting Spring 2017, the entire process will be online.

Service Area Updates: Registration:

Dr. North will communicate the date that the schedule for Spring 2016 is ready to view.

Online Learning Basics- CIS 290C will change to ORI 111

 Online Learning Basics is not in the common course directory (ACCS). Because CIS courses are included in Perkins data, the numbers are skewed for reporting.

 Students will not be required to take ORI 111 if they have taken CIS 290C

 Cheryl Jordan will check to see if the computer will automatically recognize that the student has taken CIS 290C and list ORI 111 as a repeat course.

Assessment:

Robbie Whaley stated that Accuplacer will begin on October 3rd. A meeting for policies and training will be held on October 11th for advisors, Pam Jones, Cheryl Jordan and Catherine Stringfellow. An invitation will be extended to the instructional deans as well.

Cheryl Jordan asked if the recording place in ADMAS was corrected for the English/Writing. Dr. North and Robbie Whaley stated that it has been and it reads “essay.”

Distance Education:

There was an issue concerning students being charged multiple times for ProctorU, but the issue has been resolved.

Financial Aid:

Melissa Todd stated that starting Oct 1st students would be able to begin the FAFSA process. Students are allowed to use 2015 tax return for the 2017-2018 academic year. Students will not be required to update their status/file in January.

Financial Aid will host “Financial Aid Awareness Day” for SUSCC students on Oct 19th for each campus.

Scholarship Deadline will remain March 1st.

There will be a huge social media push concerning Financial Aid Awareness Day and the new changes. The financial aid department is working with Shondae Brown to initiate the push.

Business Office:

Marty Kirby addressed the business office staff with concerns about the business office closing during unfavorable hours. She reported that Cindy Touchstone cannot take payments, but she can call the Wadley office and they can assist unless it is a cash payment. She further stated that the office is hoping to fill the vacant positions and have two employees at the windows to assist students.

Assignments & Follow-up

Melissa Todd thanked everyone for their active participation at the registration committee meeting. She introduced herself as chair and Brandon Morgan as Co-Chair and offered their support to each person on the committee. She solicited the questions/comments concerning the registration process to be submitted to her or Brandon Morgan to guide the focus of future meetings.

Next Committee Meeting:

Thursday, October 20th 9:30 a.m.